Ethnic Identity and the Lore of the Supernatural

mainly from sociologists, who tell us that an ethnic group consists of those who conceive of themselves as being alike by virtue of their common ancestry, real or fictitious, and who are so regarded by others.) This definition of ethnicity stresses the importance of group identity and thus indicates one important aspect of ethnic-folklore studies, for folklore is an important means of expressing group identity as well as, frequently, a symbol of that identity. Sociologists, however, have focused their attention mainly on the nature of group processes, giving very little attention to the meaning of ethnicity for individuals. This kind of orientation has resulted in an emphasis on commonality and on synthesizing influences. Focus on the individual, on the other hand, would lead us irrevocably to differences among ethnic individuals and to the need to view ethnicity as a complex phenomenon. Suggestive, then, because it recognizes diversity within the ethnic group, is the distinction which sociologist Milton M. Gordon makes between two kinds of group identification which an ethnic group provides for its members: historical identification, based on a sense of peoplehood and a shared fate; and participational identification, based on a sense of being comfortable with certain people. The first kind of identity, the historical, may be based solely on ethnic factors, but the latter, the participational identification, is likely to be based on both ethnic and other criteria.2 In other words, a given individual may find a sense of generalized group identity in belonging to an ethnic group, but he is likely to interact most closely with those particular members of the ethnic group who are like himself in other ways as well. In making this distinction, Gordon means to emphasize the significance of sub-groups based on class within the ethnic group. He states, With regard to social participation in groups and primary relationships, people tend to confine

Aesthetics · Epistemology · Ethnic group · Ethnic history · Folklore · Identification (biology) · Identity (music) · Linguistics · Meaning (existential) · Sociology · Symbol (formal) · Anthropology · Culinary Culture and Tourism · Gender Studies · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

• The Werewolf as a Religious and Ethnic Other in a Herzegovinian Legend

  Open Access•M Mencej•Folklore Electronic Journal of…•2019

  Add to list

• To Believe and Not to Believe

  Ayako Yoshimura•Journal of American Folklore•2015

  Add to list

• Latinx Publics

  Rachel González-Martin•Journal of American Folklore•2020

  Add to list